Effect of genotype, flesh colour and environment on the glycoalkaloid content in potato tubers from integrated agriculture

Abstract

The main aim of the study was evaluation of the content of -solanine, -chaconine and total glycoalkaloids (TGA) in fourteen new potato cultivars with purple and red flesh in comparison with yellow- and white-fleshed control potatoes cultivated in a friendly way in integrated agriculture. The results were obtained from three-year trials on two locations. TGA levels in tubers’ flesh ranged from 33.69 to 167.77 mg/kg fresh matter (FM), and the ratio of α-chaconin to α-solanin from 1.18 to 3.78. No TGA safety limit was exceeded for any cultivar. The glycoalkaloids content was not significantly influenced by flesh colour, whereas the cultivar genotype had a decisive influence on their content. Eight cultivars with coloured flesh yielded a more favourable lower TGA content in comparison with the yellow-fleshed control cv. Agria (86.3 mg/kg FM); on the contrary six cultivars showed higher TGA values. The highest average TGA content was found in the purple-fleshed Bora Valley cultivar (165 mg/kg FM), the lowest was found in the red-fleshed Red Emmalie cultivar (43.6 mg/kg FM), whereas the white-fleshed cv. Russet Burbank reached 67.0 mg/kg FM. The glycoalkaloid content was significantly affected by location and year weather conditions.